Featured Advice

Careers rarely develop the way we plan them. Our career path often takes many twists and turns, with particular events, choices and people influencing our direction.

We asked Rachel Reddin from Hardware Association Ireland to give some advice for people considering this job:

I would advise to just go for it and give it a bash! We have a good few staff who have work here for between 25 and 30 years. One of our managers started here when he was 17! In terms of qualities and skills everyone here finds construction interesting and we are all also quite active. For my job in particular a retail background is beneficial and courses in management are a definite bonus!

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Self Assessment

What are your interests?

Realist?

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Job Zone

In Summary - Parliamentary Assistant - EU

Career Sectors

Parliamentary Assistant - EUs typically work in the following Career Sectors:

Working for the EU

Government, Politics & EU

Videos & Interviews

Kevin Keary, Parliamentary Assistant

Kevin Keary is Parliamentary Assistant to MEP Sean Kelly. He recieved his BA International in Spanish and Sociological Political Studies from NUI Galway. His job is based in Brussels where he has worked on projects such as the International Fund for Ireland.

Videos on the Web

The Work - Parliamentary Assistant - EU

There are about 1,500 assistants who assist MEPs. Parliamentary Assistants undertake a variety of work, reflecting the particular interests and engagement of their MEP. The following wide-ranging activities are typical of the work involved in this role:

Management of the Brussels office with high volume and complex administration

Providing secretarial and office support to MEP, including: managing and responding to mail; managing MEP’s diary; responding to information requests; booking meetings; organising travel arrangements; and providing general office support

Drafting, coordinating, political strategy and lobbying work to influence relevant legislation via Parliamentary Committees and plenaries

Liaising with researchers of the political group, staff in the constituency office, Brussels-based NGOs and delegations, and other institutions

Speech writing and press work as appropriate

Desk research for reports, speeches, Parliamentary questions/letters and constituent queries

Recruitment, management and training of stagiaires

Organising and overseeing group visits, seminars and receptions

Administering and overseeing expenditure of budget line for publications

Interests - Parliamentary Assistant - EU

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Qualities

The tasks of Parliamentary Assistants vary enormously and are typically a mixture of several roles, from secretary-advisor-press-officer to tour guide for visitors, all rolled into one.

This multitasking job role requires flexibility, ability to react fast and adapt quickly, and patience, as well as language skills, good time management skills, organisational skills and problem solving.

Entry Requirements - Parliamentary Assistant - EU

Parliamentary assistants are selected at the discretion of each sitting MEP, as a result no strict qualification framework is applicable.

MEPs

Each of the 751 MEPs elected to the European Parliament work with at least two Parliamentary Assistants.

The employment of Parliamentary Assistants is the responsibility of each sitting MEP.

If you are interested in working for an MEP, do some research and identify those MEPs you think you would like to work with, taking into account their political affiliations, interests and background etc., and then contact them directly.

It is also worth looking beyond Ireland when applying for these roles. Irish graduates have worked successfully as Assistants to MEPs from different Member States. This can allow you to make the most of your language skills or an expertise background in a certain field which matches the profile of a specific MEP.

Also, the European Parliament Information Office in Ireland is available here.

Political Groups

Another pathway for those wanting to work in the European Parliament is through the Political Groups. Each European Political Group employs research and administrative staff as well as offering their own traineeships. Vacancies for these positions are generally advertised on the group's websites.